Women, Under-23 out to conquer Kenya, Zambia

Spira Tlhankane | Thursday May 28, 2015 11:59

The women’s side, who have acquired the services of Sepheko Motlhagodi as their new coach, need a draw to progress to the next round.

After beating the Harambe Starlets in Lobatse last Friday, Motlhagodi said they face an uphill task due to Kenya’s different conditions.

“The place is unknown to us. The altitude is different, we are worried about the environment, but we will work hard to produce positive results,” he told journalists in Gaborone yesterday.

Motlhagodi said they have taken the players through all the aspects of football. “

Mentally and tactically we are ready and the morale in the camp is very high,” he said.

One goal, without conceding would be enough to send Kenya through. If the hosts concede, Botswana will seize the intiative.

Botswana will take confidence from their display in Lobatse and look to re-produce the same level of performance throughout the second leg.

Gaolethoo Nkutlwisang who led the team up to the last match against Kenya is now the assistant coach following the appointment of Motlhagodi early this week.

Botswana’s striker, Lesego Keleboge will miss the second leg after she sustained injury in the first leg.

Meanwhile, the men’s Under-23 squad will travel to Lusaka, Zambia today (Thursday) for the second leg of the African Championship 2015 qualifiers to be played in Lusaka on Sunday.

After being held to a 1-1 draw in the first leg in Lobatse, the Young Zebras need to overcome Zambia’s away goal advantage in order to proceed to the next round.

It will be really difficult for them to win the tie, but a strong team performance could see them upset the Zambia at home. Bogosi Kaekwa has been left out from the travelling squad due to injury.

Coach Davis “Mlungisi” Kopi told the media that his team is ready to take on Zambia.

“We have deployed all the principles of play. We will unsettle them with an early goal,” he said.

Kopi added that it would be a cautious attack because their opponents would be at home. 

“The gap in class between the two sides was not evident in the first leg at Lobatse.

“The home support in Zambia might bring out the best from the side and their mission is to prevent the visitors from scoring,” said Kopi.

Women’s squad

Goalkeepers: Peggy Segokgo, Sedilame Bosija, and Refilwe Tshambani

Defenders: Nancy Baeletsi, Tlamelo Motlhale, Kgomotso Molefe, Veronica Mogotsi, and Masego Montsho

Midfielders: Boitumelo Gammu, Bonang Otlhagile, Kesegofetse Mochawe, Thuso Lesaane, Golebaone Selebatso, Lebogang Setereke, Refilwe Matlho

Strikers: Amogelang Moahi, Kitso Sheba, Nondi Mahlasela, Lesego Keleboge, Thuto Ramafifi, Chedza Katsibe, Refilwe Tholakele

Under-23 men

Goalkeepers: Goitseone Phoko, Bophelo Kealeboga, and Ezekiel Morake

Defenders: Thato Kebue, Andrew Makopo, Kagiso Dithebe, and Kennedy Taukobong

Midfielders: Emmanuel Machinya, Michael Pillar, Karabo Phiri, Obonwe Maome, Lebogang Ditsele, Gape Mohutsiwa, Thatayaone Ramatlapeng, Letlhogonolo Senwelo, Ogomodtse Bauleni, Allen Ndodole, Thato Mogorosi, Tlotlo Mpema

Strikers: Unobatsha Mbaiwa, Onkabetse Makgantai, Kennedy Ramasa, and Langa Mabule